System and method for blocking and/or retaining a prosthetic spinal implant

• US 20040111161A1
• Filed: 04/21/2003
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Trieu, Hai H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,974,479 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30578 having apertures, e.g. for receiving fixation screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/444 for replacing the nucleus pulposus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/445 Intervertebral disc tissue harvest sites
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00095 Niobium or Nb-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00125 Hafnium or Hf-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00131 Tantalum or Ta-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00137 Tungsten or W-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00167 Diamond or diamond-like carbon
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00203 : containing alumina or aluminium oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00239 : containing zirconia or zirconium oxide ZrO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00329 : Glasses, e.g. bioglass
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00365 : Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 : Composed of particular material or coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 : Polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/911 : Memory material

Abstract

Devices for anchoring and/or blocking spinal implants in an intervertebral disc space are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention the device includes a rigid blocking member having one end unconnected and free to block a spinal implant, and another end attached to a securing member to secure the blocking member to the spine. Methods for using the inventive anchoring/blocking implants are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for retaining a prosthetic spinal implant in an intervertebral disc space, said method comprising:

(a) implanting a prosthetic spinal implant member in an intervertebral disc space;

(b) providing a first blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end, wherein said blocking end is free and unconnected to a prosthetic spinal implant; and

(c) positioning the blocking end of said first blocking member in a position effective to block said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space; and

(d) securing the anchoring end of said first blocking member to a vertebra in a manner in which the blocking end of said first blocking member is maintained in a position effective to block said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a prosthetic nucleus.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises an annular plug.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises consists essentially of a prosthetic nucleus.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises consists essentially of an annular plug.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, natural collagen-source materials, and synthetic collagen-type materials, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a flexible elastic body.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a polymeric material.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyaryletherketones, polyarylacrylates, polyacrylamideacrylates, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a natural, collagen-source material.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said natural, collagen-source material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

disc annulus material, fascia lata material, planar fascia material, anterior or posterior cruciate ligament material, patella tendons, hamstring tendons, quadriceps tendons, Achilles tendons, skins, and connective tissues.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a synthetic, collagen-type material.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises an inelastic, semi-rigid material.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a rigid articulating body.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a polymeric material.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a metal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said metal comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steels, cobalt chrome alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, tantalum, and shape memory metals.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a ceramic.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said ceramic comprises a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconia, alumina-zirconia composites, pyrolytic carbon, and polycrystalline diamond compact materials.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein said anchoring end of said first blocking member is secured to a vertebra with a bone screw or a soft tissue anchor.

22. The method of claim 1, and further including the steps of:

(e) providing a second blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end, wherein said blocking end is free and unconnected to a prosthetic spinal implant; and

(f) positioning the blocking end of said second blocking member in a position effective to block said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space; and

(g) securing the anchoring end of said second blocking member to a vertebra in a manner in which the blocking end of said second blocking member is maintained in a position effective to block said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a prosthetic nucleus.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises an annular plug.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises consists essentially of a prosthetic nucleus.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises consists essentially of an annular plug.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, polymers, composites, natural collagen-source materials, and synthetic collagen-type materials, and combinations thereof.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a flexible elastic body.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a polymeric material.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyaryletherketones, polyarylacrylates, polyacrylamideacrylates, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a natural, collagen-source material.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said natural, collagen-source material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

disc annulus material, fascia lata material, planar fascia material, anterior or posterior cruciate ligament material, patella tendons, hamstring tendons, quadriceps tendons, Achilles tendons, skins, and connective tissues.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a synthetic, collagen-type material.

34. The method of claim 22, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises an inelastic, semi-rigid material.

35. The method of claim 22, wherein said prosthetic implant member comprises a rigid articulating body.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a polymeric material.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyaryletherketones, polyarylacrylates, polyacrylamideacrylates, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a metal.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said metal comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steels, cobalt chrome alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, tantalum, and shape memory metals.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein said rigid articulating body comprises a ceramic.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said ceramic comprises a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, zirconia, alumina-zirconia composites, pyrolytic carbon, and polycrystalline diamond compact materials.

42. The method of claim 22, wherein said anchoring end of said first blocking member is secured to a vertebra with a bone screw or a soft tissue anchor.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein said bone screw is an interference screw and said soft tissue anchor is a suture anchor.

44. The method of claim 22 wherein said bone screw is an interference screw and said soft tissue anchor is a suture anchor.

45. A device for blocking and retaining a spinal implant in an intervertebral disc space, said device comprising a first blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end;

wherein said anchoring end is anchored to a vertebra; and

wherein said blocking end is free and unconnected to a prosthetic spinal implant, and is positioned to block a prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from an intervertebral disc space.

46. The device of claim 45, and further including a second blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end;

wherein said anchoring end of said second blocking member is anchored to a vertebra; and

wherein said blocking end of said second blocking member is free and unconnected to a prosthetic spinal implant, and is positioned to block a prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from an intervertebral disc space.

47. A method for retaining a prosthetic spinal implant in an intervertebral disc space, said method comprising:

(a) implanting a prosthetic spinal implant in an intervertebral disc space;

(b) providing a flexible blocking member having a first anchoring end, a second anchoring end, and a blocking portion, wherein said flexible blocking member is unconnected to said prosthetic spinal implant; and

(c) securing said first anchoring end to a vertebra; and

(d) securing said second anchoring end to a vertebra;

wherein said securing steps are accomplished in a manner effective to position said blocking portion in a position effective to block said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein said prosthetic spinal implant comprises a prosthetic nucleus having a portion extending into the disc annulus.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein said prosthetic spinal implant comprises (i) a prosthetic nuclues, and (ii) a separate blocking plug positioned in the disc annulus.

50. The method of claim 47 wherein said prosthetic spinal implant comprises a prosthetic nucleus contained entirely within the natural nucleus space.

51. A blocked spinal implant system, comprising:

(a) a prosthetic spinal implant member implanted in an intervertebral disc space; and

(b) a flexible blocking member having a first anchoring end, a second anchoring end, and a blocking portion;

wherein said first anchoring end is secured to a first vertebra; and

wherein said second anchoring end is secured to a second vertebra; and

wherein said blocking portion is positioned in a position effective to block said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space.

52. The blocked spinal implant system of claim 51 wherein said prosthetic spinal implant comprises a prosthetic nucleus having a portion extending into the disc annulus.

53. The blocked spinal implant system of claim 51 wherein said prosthetic spinal implant comprises (i) a prosthetic nucleus, and (ii) a separate blocking plug positioned in the disc annulus.

54. The blocked spinal implant system of claim 51 wherein said prosthetic spinal implant comprises a prosthetic nucleus contained entirely within the natural nucleus space.